Farooq Shaikh (1948-2013) was an Indian actor, humanitarian, and television presenter. He is famous for his work in Hindi films like Garam Hawa(1973), Shatranj ke Khiladi (1977), Noorie(1979), Chashme Buddoor(1981), and other notable contributions to the Hindi television industry. He took his last breath on 28 December 2013 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Wiki/Biography
Farooq Shaikh was born on Thursday, 25 March 1948 (aged 65 years; at the time of death) in Amroli, Vadodara, Gujarat, India. His zodiac sign is Aries. He completed his schooling at St. Mary’s School in Bombay and graduated from St. Xavier’s College. Farooq went on to pursue law, following after his father in the profession, from Siddharth College of Law. While in college, he took part in plays and developed an interest in acting, which had him leave his legal career and choose theatre, instead.
Farooq Shaikh
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 9″
Weight (approx.): 75kg
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family
Parents & Siblings
Farooq Shaikh was born to Farida and Mustafa Shaikh. His father, a lawyer, worked in Bombay and belonged to a family from Hansot in the Bharuch district of Gujarat. Farooq’s family were well-off landowners settled in Nagpada, Bombay. He had five siblings and he was the eldest one.
Wife & Children
Farooq Shaikh with his wife Roopa
He met Roopa at St. Xavier’s College. The couple were involved actively in theatre and later got married. They have two beautiful daughters, Shaista and Sanaa. Their younger daughter, Sanaa is involved with a NGO, United Way of Mumbai.
Relationships/Affairs
At St. Xavier’s College, Farooq was involved with Roopa, whom he went on to marry after nine years.
Farooq Shaikh at a party with Honey Irani and his wife Roopa
Religion/Religious Views
He practiced Islam and believed himself to be a liberal Muslim.
Career
Films
Farooq Shaikh in with Deepti Naval
Farooq made his debut in his final year of law school with M S Sathyu’s movie Garam Hawa. His active years in theatre made him well-known with directors like Sagar Sarhadi, who later went on to direct him in films like Bazaar(1982), Noorie(1979), and Faasle(1985). Farooq also worked in popular movies like Muzaffar Ali’s Umrao Jaan(1981) and Gaman(1978), Satyajit Ray’s Shatranj ke Khiladi(1977) and Sai Paranjape’s Chasme Buddor(1981) and Katha(1982). Later in his career, he worked in films like Saas, Bahu aur Sensex(2008), Lahore(2010), Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani(2013), Club 60(2013), and Youngistaan(2014), which were released after his death.
Farooq Shaikh in his debut film Garam Hawa
Farooq Shaikh in Chashme- Buddoor
Farooq Shaikh in Umrao Jaan
Theatre, Radio & Television
Farooq Shaikh hosting Jeena Issi Ka Naam Hai
In his early days, Farooq was active in theatre, performing plays with IPTA and well-known directors. He starred in the play Tumhari Amrita(1992) with Shabana Azmi which ran over for 21 years across countries worldwide. He garnered immense recognition for his stint as an anchor on Bombay Doordarshan shows such as Yuvadarshan and Young World. He worked as a presenter in the Hindi television industry and hosted shows like Jeena Issi Ka Naam Hai. He also did radio programs alongside famous radio personalities such as Ameen Sayani.
Farooq Shaikh performing Tumhari Amrita alongside Shabana Azmi
Social Activism
Even though he never seemed to care about wearing the tag of philanthropist on his sleeve, Farooq was actively involved with social activism and believed in helping the underprivileged people in the community. He contributed to the re-establishment of riot victims from his hometown in Gujarat. He also sponsored the education of two sons of a maintenance worker from the Taj Hotel, who was shot dead during the 26/11 terrorist attacks after reading about the case in The Indian Express.
Awards & Honours
- He won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for the film Lahore in 2010.
- He was honored by Bimal Roy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019 for his contribution and dedication to cinema, theatre, and television.
- On 25 March 2018, Google celebrated him with a doodle on his 70th birth anniversary. Google remarked,
Farouque Shaikh essayed agonizing heartbreak and light-hearted comedy with equal ease. Beyond the silver screen, Shaikh was integral to Indian theater, and his epistoral play, ‘Tumhari Amrita’ with Shabana Azmi delighted audiences for over two decade.
Today marks the 75th birthday of Indian acting legend Farooq Shaikh .
To mark his 70th birthday, Google had put out this Doodle by artist @NimitMalavia. It is made in the 70s Bollywood poster style, and shows Shaikh’s transition from movies to TV.#FarooqShaikh #thread (1/4) pic.twitter.com/1CgXMquF47
— ThisDay (@ThisDayStories) March 25, 2023
Death
Farooq Shaikh died of cardiac arrest in the early hours on 28 December 2013, in Dubai where he was vacationing with his family.
Facts/Trivia
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- His name is also spelt as Farooque Shaikh or Farooq Sheikh.
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- He is fondly called ‘Dada’ by people from his native town due to his philanthropic work and helping nature.
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- Farooq received Rs 750 for his first film Garam Hawa by director Ramesh Sathyu, spread over five years time period.
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- He had a passion for Horse riding. Farooq used to attend horse races organized in Naswadi.
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- He had a massive fondness for honey.
- Farooq was mad about cricket and played through his school and college years. In an interview he said,
Vinoo Mankad conducted coaching classes for the two best students of our school- I invariably got selected each time. Cricket was my craze right through school and college at St. Xavier’s. In college, I was friendly with Sunil Gavaskar. He was a marvelous player.”
